Reborn Woodland bowling alley nearing completition

By ELIZABETH KALFSBEEK ekalfsbeek@dailydemocrat.com If joining a bowling league is a new year's resolution, Woodlanders are in luck.

San Bruno Bowling Center, formerly Woodhaven Lanes Bowling Alley, will open "as soon as we're ready," confirmed building owner Salvatore Muzzi, adding that will likely be in the next couple of months.

The lanes have undergone internal transformation since last summer, including new paint featuring the colors of the Italian flag, Muzzi's native country. The red, green and white dotting the building's interior columns and portions of the floor by the lanes are also the colors of the Mexican flag.

When the bowling alley's former owner AMF closed the facility abruptly in the summer of 2012, it subsequently gutted the interior of the building, including the machines used to place pins and return bowling balls - now being replaced by Muzzi.

Muzzi is waiting on the pin setting machines ordered from Germany that will "maybe" arrive at the end of January. The walls will be cut to accommodate the eight-foot machines.

As of Wednesday, crews were sanding the lanes to ensure they are level. Muzzi added that he plans to paint giant American flags on each of the walls that hug the bowling lanes.

The carpets will not be replaced at this time, but are being steam cleaned.

"We still have a lot of work to do here," Muzzi said.

Repairs are being made to Corkwood Lounge, which was a bar, but Muzzi isn't certain of its endgame. He does not have a liquor license, but suggested a potential partnership between the bowling center and the adjoining Corkwood Restaurant, which has a beer and wine license.

The bowling alley's adjoining restaurant, Corkwood, has remained in business since the closure of the lanes. The coffee shop and restaurant has always operated as an independent business within the building, built in 1964.

Present restaurant owner and chef Charlie Chu has been at the location for 32 years.

Muzzi said the renovation including the cost for the new pin machines is in the neighborhood of a few hundred thousand dollars, but would not be more specific.

Almost two years ago, a simple flier taped to the glass door was all that told people - and nine employees - the business at 154 W. Main St. was closed after more than 30 years in business.

At the time, AMF officials said Woodhaven Lanes wasn't performing financially.